What you need to know to avoid getting poison from fish rather than health
Heavy metal contamination
Heavy metal contamination in fish is a serious issue that can pose a risk to human health. Fish are a healthy source of protein for humans, but due to environmental pollution, they can accumulate toxic substances such as heavy metals. These toxic substances can harm humans when they consume contaminated fish, leading to heavy metal poisoning. Heavy metals are a group of toxic chemicals that can occur naturally or as a result of industrial activities.
They pose serious risks to human health, and long-term exposure can lead to serious health problems. Fish absorb and accumulate heavy metals from their environment, and different fish species can accumulate different amounts of heavy metals. Heavy metal poisoning can cause a range of symptoms and health problems in humans, including headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, depression, anxiety, memory loss, and nerve damage. 
Additionally, the cooking method is also important. Fatty parts of fish tend to accumulate more heavy metals, so removing the fatty parts or choosing less fatty fish species can be helpful. It is also important to clean and cook fish properly before consuming. In conclusion, heavy metal contamination in fish is a serious health risk. However, by taking precautions when consuming fish, we can reduce the risk of heavy metal poisoning and still benefit from the healthy protein source that fish provide.
Which Heavy Metals Are in Fish?
Heavy metals are a hot topic, as I explain in this post. We encounter them in makeup, food, building materials, and more. You’ve probably heard that heavy metals can build up in fish, too.
Some of the most common heavy metals that contaminate seafood are:
- lead
- cadmium
- arsenic
- and mercury
For many people, the biggest concern is methylmercury, which is made from inorganic mercury that our bodies cannot process.
Inorganic mercury comes from industrial waste, smokestack emissions, volcanoes, and coal powered factories. Aquatic organisms convert this inorganic mercury into methylmercury.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), methylmercury is found in small concentrations in all seafood. However, they also claim that in many species of fish the levels are safe for most people to eat.
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Which fish may contain heavy metals
Different fish species can accumulate different amounts of heavy metals, depending on various factors such as their habitat, diet, and age. Generally, larger and longer-lived fish tend to accumulate more heavy metals than smaller fish. Some of the fish species that are known to accumulate higher levels of heavy metals include:
- Tuna
- Swordfish
- Shark
- King mackerel
- Tilefish
- Marlin
- Orange roughy
However, it is important to note that heavy metal contamination can also occur in other fish species, depending on the level of pollution in their environment. Therefore, it is important to be cautious when consuming fish and to check the source and species of the fish before consumption. Additionally, following guidelines for safe fish consumption and cooking can help reduce the risk of heavy metal poisoning.
Shopping Guide for Safer Fish
All fish contain some mercury, however, many contain very little. Small fish that are lower on the food chain are best because they do not bioaccumulate POPs and methylmercury.
Fish with a short life span are better choices than longer living, larger fish. Anchovies, herring, and sardines are great options. They are nutrient-dense and low in anything that could be a potential health concern.
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